Shipping container for glass sheets



Feb. 14, 1956 M. c. KOESTER ETAL SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR GLASS SHEETS a Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 30, 1950 3nmntom Kama/n d Feb. 14, 1956 M. c. KOESTER ETAL SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR GLASS SHEETS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 30, 1950 C irgaentorfi $6556 6 Gttorneggt Feb. 14, 1956 c, KoEs R T 2,734,626

SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR GLASS SHEETS Filed Dec. 30. 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR GLASS SHEETS Melvin C. Koester and Felix J. Mainz, Toledo, Ohio, as-

signors to Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 30, 1950, Serial No. 203,626

4 Claims. (Cl. 206-62) The present invention relates broadly to the art of nited States Patent packaging and more particularly to a container, box or carton of novel and improved construction for the handling and shipping of articles, such as for example, bent or curved glass sheets.

An important object of the invention is the provision of an improved shipping container for bent or curved sheets of glass which adequately cushions and supports the glass sheet or sheets on both sides of the center line of the sheet or sheets.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a shipping container which is formed largely of cardboard or the like, may be readily assembled from a minimum number of parts, and yet is strong, sturdy and durable in construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a shipping container wherein cushioning and supporting means are arranged within the container to contact the glass sheet or sheets at points of greatest stress and maintain the glass sheet or sheets in spaced relation to the shipping container, box or carton along the side and end walls thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a shipping container wherein cushioning means of a novel character are associated directly with the glass sheet or sheets to prevent chipping along the edges thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the shipping container illustrating a method of arranging the filler members, with a top bracing member positioned as during as sembly;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal detail sectional view 'of the container shown in Fig. 1; V

Fig. 3 is a vertical detail view showing the component parts of the container illustrated in Fig. l in spaced relation;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the shipping container illustrating another method of arranging the filler members;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal detail sectional View of the container shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the shipping container Fig. 10 is an end view of another filler member utilized in the container of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view showing the general location of the glass sheet packaged in accordance with the method illustrated in Fig. 8;

Fig. 1.2 is a perspective view of a modified form of the shipping container embodying wooden frame construction, wherein the top and side panels have been removed to illustrate a method of packaging a large number of sheets; and

Fig. 13 is a top view of a modification of the wooden type shipping container illustrating a method of employing filler members.

While the container of this invention is particularly suited for the packaging and shipment of bent or curved glasssheet's, and will be described hereinafter as utilized for that purpose, it will be appreciated that the container herein disclosed may be used for other articles of a similar character, and that the invention is not limited to any specific use.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 there is provided a shipping container designated in its entirety by the numeral 14 and comprising a substantially rectangularexterior box or carton 15 in which is supported a bent or curved sheet of glass, hereinafter referred to by the letter A. The carton 15 is preferably manufactured from relatively heavy doubleface cardboard, fiberboard, paperboard or the like and is composed of a suitably sealed bottom 16, end walls 17 and 18, side walls 19 and 20 and a top 21 comprising end flaps 2 2 and 23 and side flaps 24 and 25.

Disposed within the carton 15 and positioned on the inner surface of the bottom 16 is a bracing member 26, which serves to cushion the lower marginal edge of the glass sheet A against chipping. The lower bracing member 26 is preferably formed from the same type of material as the carton 15 and is folded along the side edges to form an S-shapedfold 27. When this bracing member is properly positioned on the floor or bottom of the carton with the fold 27 facing upwardly, cushioning support is provided the convex surfaces of the sheet A in the central area along the lower edge and also to the marginal edges of the sheet A at the lower corners thereof.

Situated within the carton or box 15 and bracing the concave surface of the sheet A are filler members a 28 and '29. These members are also preferably formed illustrating still another method of arranging the filler from a single sheet of a corrugated material which is turned back upon itself to produce at each end of said sheet two trapez-ia 30 and 31. As may be seen in Fig. 2, the concave surface of the glass sheet A is supported by corner sections of the trapezia formed by filler members 28 and 29. By the contact thus established the concave surface is spaced from the side wall 19 of the shipping container 14 and supported at points subject to the greatest amount of strain.

Also positioned within the carton or box 15 and supporting the concave surface of the glass sheet A is the center bracing member 32. This member is also preferably formed from a sheet of corrugated material such as cardboard, paperboard, fiberboard or the like and is folded into an open-sided rectangle as indicated in Fig. 1. As thus situated the center bracing member supports the concave surface of the glass sheet at points on both sides of the centerline of the sheet A, at locations recognized as subject to :a considerable amount of strain. The concave surface of the glass sheet is spaced from the inner surface of the 'side wall 19 of the container 14 by the side sections 33 and 34 of the center bracing member 32, while contact with the side wall 19 is made by the bottom sections 35 of the center member. Thus, the concave surface of the glass sheet A is-adequately supported and cushioned along six transverse lines throughout its length, the filler members 28 and 29 bracing along four lines and the center bracing member along two lines.

Functioning to rigidly position the glass sheet with respect to both the inner walls of the carton and the filler members 28 and 29, and to support the convex surface of said sheet, are end filler members 36 and 37. Each member is preferably formed from a sheet of corrugated cardboard, paperboard, fiberboard or the like folded from the ends thereof inwardly to produce two trapezia 38 and 39. The relative position of these filler members with respect to the glass sheet A is illustrated in Pig. 2 wherein it may be seen that the non-parallel sides 4i and 41 of the trapezia formed by the filler members 36 and 37 contact areas along the convex surface of the sheet A at locations generally opposite to those supported by the filler members 28 and 29 on the concave surface. As thus positioned, the filler members 36 and 3'7 support the convex surface of the sheet A in spaced relation to the side wall of the carton i5, maintain said sheet rigid with respect to the filler members 28 and 29 on the concave surface thereof, and protect the leading and trailing marginal edges of the sheet by combining with the other filler members 28 and 2% to brace the sheet inwardly from the corners of the carton 15 formed by the side wall 19 and end walls 17 and 18.

After the glass sheet A has been positioned within the carton or box 15 and located upon a bracing member 26, the filler members 28, 29, 36 and 37, and center bracing member 32 are arranged on opposite sides of the sheet A. A sheet of double-face corrugated cardboard, paperboard, fiberboard or the like 42, corresponding to the size of the end walls 17 and 18, is then located along the inner surfaces of the end Walls and parallel thereto to provide a cushioning medium for the glass sheet against any forces directed against said end walls.

As may be seen in Fig. 1, a top bracing member 43 is next located parallel to the upper surfaces of the filler members and resting upon the upper edge of the glass sheet A. This bracing member is formed similarly to the bracing member 26 above described and is positioned whereby the inner portion of the S-shaped fold 44 along one side of said member 43 contacts the convex surface of the sheet A in the area of greatest curvature and in that area subject to the greatest amount of strain. By the contact thus established with the convex surface, said surface is held in spaced relation to the side wall 20 by the S-shaped fold 44 and thereby said surface is protected against breakage which might result from a blow directed at the side Wall. In addition, by forming the folds 44 in the shape of an 8, said folds possess yieldable characteristics and serve to force the filler members 28 and 29 against the glass sheet A and maintain said members in wedged relation with respect to said sheet and the side wall 19 of the box. Further, by means of the S-shaped folds, the bracing member 43, as well as its companion member 26 located on the bottom of the box, protects the side edges of the glass sheet against chipping.

The relative position of the supporting members to the shipping container are shown in Fig. 3, wherein numeral 19 indicates a side wall, 44 the S-shaped folds, 45 and 46 the non-parallel folds of the trapezium formed by filler member 28, A designates the glass sheet, 40 and 41 the non-parallel folds of the trapezium formed by filler member 36, and 20 the opposite side wall of the carton 15.

Following the positioning of the bracing member 43, the end flaps 22 and 23 of the top 21 are folded onto the member 43 and the side flaps 24 and 25 are attached to the end flaps by glue and/or staples. If additional support is desired, metal strapping may be applied transversely and/or longitudinally about the shipping container 14 or a wooden frame constructed to support the end and side walls of said container.

A modification of the above disclosed shipping container may be seen in Figs. 4 and 5. Whereas the above shipping container 14 is particularly adaptable to the packaging of large sheets of cylindrically curved glass, the shipping container 47 shown in Fig. 4 is better suited for relatively smaller glass sheets with a lesser degree of curvature. The exterior construction of this shipping container is substantially the same as that utilized in the above described container 14. That is, there is provided a carton or box 48 with a bottom 49, side walls 5i) and 51, end walls 52 and 53 and a top 54. As to the interior construction however, it will be noted that the glass sheet A is additionally cushioned by envelopes 55 and 56, further protected on the leading and trailing marginal edges by end spacer members 57 and 58, and supported on the convex and concave surfaces by filler members 59 and 60.

Each envelope 55 and 56 is preferably formed from a sheet of corrugated cardboard, paperboard, fiberboard or the like applied to the leading and trailing marginal edges of the sheet A with the transverse center line of the corrugated sheet abutting said marginal edges. The corrugated sheet is then folded onto the front and rear faces of the glass sheet and sealed into envelope form by the application of staples and/ or glue to the upper and lower edges of said envelope. By utilizing this type of seal an overlap of corrugated material exists, thereby providing a cushioning means along said upper and lower edges. In addition, the envelopes 55 and 56 function to substantially eliminate chipping of the glass sheet along the leading and trailing marginal edges thereof and protect the front and rear faces of said sheet A against abrasion or scratching by the filler members 59 and 66.

Additionally serving to protect the marginal edges from chipping but also functioning to space the glass sheet from the side walls and 51 of the shipping container 47, and thereby brace the sheet A, are the filler members 59 and 60. These members are preferably formed from the same type of material as the envelopes and 56. A sheet of said material is applied to the marginal edges of the glass sheet and folded back upon itself whereby trianguiarly shaped sections 61 are created with the vertices 62 there of contacting the inner surfaces of the side walls 59 and 51. As may be seen in Fig. 5, the filler members 59 and provide a substantial measure of support along the convex and concave surfaces of the bent or curved glass sheet in an area normally subject to a considerable amount of stress and strain in the shipping operation. The filler members, by the contact which is established with the inner surfaces of the side walls, maintain the sheet A in a rigid yet cushioned condition relative to said side walls, and by the triangularly shaped sections 61 position the glass sheet spaced from the side walls, thereby substan tially precluding the possibility of breakage by forces directed at the side walls of the carton or box 48.

To further protect the marginal edges but more particu larly to wedge the glass sheet A into a rigid position, there are provided end spacer members 57 and 58 along the convex surfaces of the sheet adjacent the ends thereof. These members are preferably constructed by folding a double-face sheet of corrugated cardboard, paperboard, fiberboard or the like into the shape of a trapezium with a double thickness of corrugated material along the end walls 52 and 53 of the carton 48 and an inwardly turned fold 63 of said material contacting and extending beyond the marginal edges of the glass sheet. Thus, by means of the non-parallel sides 64 of the trapezia formed by the folding of the corrugated material, the end spacer members 57 and 58 contact the convex surface of the sheet A, maintain it rigid within the carton or box 43, provide cushioning action for the marginal edges of the sheet relative to the end walls 52 and 53, and furnish additional protection against chipping by the inwardly turned fold 63.

Experience has shown that the above described protecttive means are generally adequate to substantially eliminate breakage in the shipment of smaller sheets of glass. However, if desired, corrugated material of the type and shape utilized in the first-described shipping container 14 may be inserted along the inner surfaces of the end walls to further protect the trailing and leading marginal edges of the glass sheet A. Also, sheets of corrugated material similar to the bracing members 26 and 43 may be positioned below and above the side edges of the sheet A.

A further modification of this novel type container is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, wherein is provided a shipping container designated in its entirety by the numeral 65. This container embodies the essential features of the previously described container 47. It is to be noted in Fig. 6 that a carton or box of corrugated cardboard or the like is again utilized and that the glass sheet A is protected by envelopes formed of corrugated material or the like. In the formation and positioning of the filler members 66 and 67 lies the substantial difference between this container and the container 47 above described.

The filler members 66 and 67 are each preferably formed from a sheet of corrugated cardboard, fiberboard, paperboard or the like folded on a transverse line off the center line of the corrugated sheet to form a section 68 approximately equal to the width of the end walls 69 and 70 and buttressing the inner surfaces of said end walls. The ends of the corrugated sheet are then folded back upon themselves to create triangularly shaped portions 71 and 72. As may be seen in Fig. 7, the result of the formation of the triangularly shaped portions is a four-point contact with the convex and concave surfaces of the glass sheet A at points indicated by the letters a, b, c and d. By means of this four-point contact the filler members 66 and 67 support the convex and concave surfaces of the sheet A in areas oif the center line of the sheet nor-s rnally subject to a substantial amount of stress and position the glass sheet in a rigid condition relative to the side walls 73 and 74 of the shipping container 65. As may also be seen in Fig. 7, the sheet A is spaced from the inner surfaces of said side walls, thereby reducing the lia bility of breakage of the sheet caused by a blow directed at the side walls. When such a force is received the triangularly shaped portions 71 and 72 will compress and substantially absorb the damaging effect of said blow.

In addition to the cushioning protection granted the leading and trailing marginal edges of the sheet A by the corrugated envelopes, the filler members 66 and 67 are formed whereby the end sections 68 of said members contact the marginal edges of the glass sheet in two corners of the shipping container.

A still further modification of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, and 11. In Fig. 8 there is provided a shipping container designated in its entirety by the numeral 75 and comprising a carton or box 76 of construc tion similar to that above described and composed of a bottom 77, end walls 78 and 79, side walls 80 and 81 and a top 82. Disposed within the carton and elevating the glass sheet A from the bottom 77 are spacer blocks 83. Supporting the sheet A on its concave surface are filler members 84 and 85 and a center bracing member 86, while filler members 87 and 88 brace the convex surface and space the glass sheet from the side wall 81.

The spacer blocks 83 are preferably formed from strips of double-face corrugated cardboard, fiberboard, paperboard or the like secured together by the application of an adhesive material to their side faces. These blocks are positioned equidistantly from the center line of the sheet A with the upper face of each block contacting the lower edge of the glass sheet and the lower face resting upon the bottom of the carton. By this means the glass sheet is elevated from the bottom of the container to reduce chipping to the lower edge of said sheet and supported upon a cushioning means having rigid yet resilient characteristics. Thus, should the packaged shipping container be dropped on its bottom, the spacer blocks will absorb the force and substantially prevent its transfer to the glass sheet itself.

Positioned on the convex surface of the sheet A near the ends thereof are the filler members 87 and 88. These members are formed from corrugated material of the type above described and folded back upon itself toward the center to form a member as illustrated in Fig. 9. As located within the carton or box 76, the filler members 87 and 88 contact the inner surfaces of the end walls 78 and 79, the inner surface of the side wall 81, the convex surface of the glass sheet and the spacer blocks 83. As may be seen in Fig. 8, each filler member is constructed whereby area contact'is established with the convex surface from the end thereof to a line outwardly from the center line of the glass sheet. I

Also providing area contact, and located on the con,- cave surface of the glass sheet A, are additional filler members 84 and 85. These members are also formed from corrugated material of the type above described and folded into the shape shown in Fig. 10. As may be seen in Fig. 8, these filler members contact the inner surface of the side wall 80, the inner surfaces of the end walls 78 and 79, the spacer blocks 83 and the concave surface of the sheet A along an area extending from the ends thereof to a line a relatively short distance off the center line of said sheet.

Positioned between the spacer blocks 83 and contacting the inner surface of the side wall and the concave surface of the glass sheet A is a center bracing member 86. This member is preferably formed of corrugated cardboard, paperboard, fiberboard or the like folded into a substantially rectangular shape. As thus located, the center bracing member 86 furnishes a substantial measure of support to the central area of the glass sheet and spaces said sheet from the side wall 80.

With the filler members 84, 85, 87 and 88 and center bracing member 86 positioned as seen in Fig. 8, the glass sheet A is supported along substantially its entire area on both the concave and convex surfaces. Intimate contact with the sheet is established by means of the filler members, the sheet is spaced from the side walls 80 and 81, and is held relatively rigid by the wedging action of said filler members. With the sheet thus in a rigid condition, the central area, normally subject to considerable strain, is braced and spaced from the side wall 80 by the center bracing member 86. Therefore, should the shipping container 75 be accidently dropped on its side or bottom, the filler members and center bracing member will hold the glass sheet substantially rigid, absorb the adverse effects of such dropping and cushion the sheet along the marginal edges.

A still further modification of this invention is shown in Fig. 12 wherein is provided a wooden shipping container designated in its entirety by the numeral 89 and comprising end sections 90 and 91, side sections 92 and 93, a top 94 (not shown) and a bottom 95 composed of longitudinal slats or planks 96 and transverse slats or planks 97. Carried by the inner surfaces of the end sections 90 and 91 are guide rails 98 which abut upon the outermost transverse planks 97. The latter members are disposed inwardly of the ends of the bottom 95 to provide ledges upon which are located the end sections 90 and 91. Located inwardly of said latter sections and carried upon a pair of transverse planks 97 are elevating members or wedges 99 upon which is carried a case liner 100. This liner, which may be fabricated from double-face corrugated cardboard or similar material, contacts the lower edges of the glass sheets and cushions said sheets against the planks 97 and wedges 99. The liner is also formed to provide end portions 101 which are positioned against the end sections 90 and 91 of the container 89 and protect the marginal edges of the sheets against said sections.

Supporting the concave surface of the sheet A is a center bracing member 102 constructed of relatively light weight lumber to form a trapeziform box. Positioned between the bracing member 102 and the glass sheet are sheets of corrugated material 103 which serve to dis- '7 tribute the strain along the center area of the sheet A and protect the inner side face of the sheet A from scratching against the center bracing member 102. If desired, the concave surface of the glass sheet may be braced by blocks or filler members of corrugated material properly positioned in at least three locations along said surface. In addition to the center bracing member, the convex as well as the concave surface may be additionally braced by the utilization of filler members along the convex surface outwardly of the center thereof.

In practising the invention, the end sections 90 and 91 and side section 93 are suitably secured to the bottom 95 and said side section cleated at the upper corners to the end sections. As thus positioned the side section is braced against the end sections by means of the guide rails 98 thereby substantially preventing outward movement by said side section when the container 89 is loaded. The end sections are further braced against inward movement toward the glass sheets A by the ledges formed by the location of the outermost transverse planks 97 inwardly of the ends of the bottom 95. With the elevating members 99 suitably attached to a pair of transverse planks 97, the case liner 100 is positioned upon the elevating members and against the end sections 90 and 91. The center bracing member 102 is then located against the side section 93 in substantially the center thereof. A sheet of glass is positioned within the container as shown in Fig. 12, and the corrugated material 103 placed between the center bracing member 101 and the sheet A itself. Sheets of corrugated cardboard, paperboard, fiberboard or the like 104 are then applied to the leading and trailing marginal edges of the glass sheet and folded back upon the front and rear faces thereof. This corrugated material cushions the marginal edges and substantially prevents chipping on such edges. In addition, the corrugated material 103 spaces the sheets A apart from each other and reduces scratching on the surfaces. To further reduce scratching and protect the sheets A from dust, it is desirable to place sheets of kraft paper between each sheet of glass as they are loaded into the container. After the predetermined number of glass sheets have been positioned within the container, filler members such as the members 87 and 88 above described may be positioned on the convex side of the sheets adjacent the ends thereof and lowered into position by means of the guide rails 98 and suitably attached to the bottom 95 and end sections 98 and 91. Following the attachment of the top 94 to the side and end sections, metal strapping may be applied if desired.

As has been noted, the above described shipping container 89 is particularly suitable for the packaging of sheets of glass possessing uniform spherical or cylindrical curvature. In the packaging of relatively smaller sheets in which the curvature is more severe toward one end, that is, the sheet is not curved or bent uniformly from the center line, filler members or wedges may be positioned as shown in Fig. 13. As thus seen, there is provided filler members 105 and 106, one being located with the greatest thickness contacting that area of the glass sheet A with the relatively severe curvature, and the other filler member 106 bracing the sheets on the convex side in the area of lesser curvature. Conceivably, however, a bracing member similar to the center bracing member 102 above described could be positioned on the concave surface outwardly from the center line of the sheets A in the area supported by the filler member 105. If desired, all other structural features of the wooden shipping container 89 above disclosed may be incorporated in this shipping container.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same, but that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

We claim:

1. In a container for shipping curved sheets of glass, a substantially rectangular box, a curved glass sheet arranged within said box, cushioning envelopes receiving the opposite end portions of the sheet and extending over substantially the entire length thereof for protecting the sheet against scratching and chipping, and resilient filler members overlapping said envelopes and having substantially triangularly shaped portions at opposite sides of the sheet outwardly of the centerline thereof and extending substantially entirely between the top and bottom walls of the box and spacing said sheet from the walls of the box.

2. in a container for shipping curved sheets of glass, a substantially rectangular box, a curved glass sheet arranged within said box, cushioning envelopes receiving the opposite end portions of the sheet and extending over substantially the entire length thereof, said envelopes providing overlapping portions along the marginal side edges of the sheet and spacing said edges from the top and bottom walls of the box, and resilient filler members overlapping said envelopes and having substantially triangularly shaped portions at opposite sides of the sheet outwardly of the centerline thereof and extending substantially entirely between the top and bottom walls of the box and spacing said sheet from the walls of the box.

3. in a container for shipping curved sheets of glass, a substantially rectangular box, a curved glass sheet arranged within said box, cushioning envelopes receiving the opposite end portions of the sheet and extending over substantially the entire length thereof, and resilient filler members located at opposite sides of the sheet, said members having end sections overlapping said envelopes and substantially triangular portions contacting the cushioning envelopes and side walls of the box outwardly of the centerline of the sheet and extending substantially entirely between the top and bottom walls of said box.

4. in a container for shipping curved sheets of glass, 21 substantially rectangular box, a curved glass sheet arranged within said box, cushioning envelopes receiving the opposite end portions of the sheet and extending over substantially the entire length thereof, and resilient filler members located at opposite sides of the sheet and extending substantially entirely between the top and bottom walls of the box, said members having end sections overlapping said envelopes in contact with the end walls of the box and substantially triangular portions contacting the cushioning envelopes and side walls of the box and supporting opposite surfaces of the sheet at a plurality of points spaced from the transverse center line of the sheet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,453,071 Kleeman Apr. 24, 1923 1,585,683 Oppenheim May 25, 1926 1,713,548 Oppenheim May 21, 1929 2,299,355 Stolprnan Oct. 20, 1942 2,330,348 Elliott Sept. 23, 1943 2,337,468 Hilger Dec. 21, 1943 2,609,136 Sider Sept. 2, 1952 

